Though your sins be as scarlet, you shall be white as snow...really?

Having had a set of stimulating conversations as of lately, I would like to ponder a verse of scripture and the implied implications and application.
The text in question is as follows “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. – Isaiah 1:18
I would like to cite another verse in proper context along these lines. "
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
For me this is GREAT news! I cannot fathom the depth of my sin and the offensive stench that I had before recieving the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus my Lord. Then someone shared with me the gift of eternal life. Now I have become the sweet aroma to God in Christ. But the greatest thing is that I know that if I were to die today, I know for certain that I would be with Christ in Heaven.
Now this gift of eternal life was granted to me while in the depths of prison amongst the "scum of the earth." I thank God,that He has chosen the despised and rejected things of the earth to confound the wise and esteemed of this world.
It was while incarcerated that I was set free from the chains of sin and death. It was while wearing a white stripe that I handed over the number 888918 and the old man attached to that number. It was while wearing handcuffs and shackles that someone approached me with the love of God and what He did for me by executing His Son for my wretched soul. While falling on my face before God as a wretched sinner it was then I was able to look up and see the love of our Heavenly Father in the silhouette of the hill called Golgotha. 15 years later, I am still amazed by His grace. He STILL sees me through the eyes of His Son. I still have that number and will carry it until the day they place this old dead body in the ground. However, I know that if a man is in Christ He is a new creation! Hallelujah.
Yes brother, but you still have to face the consequences for your sins you may say. And rightly so, let me bare my back for you to flog me, how many stripes would you like to give me today for sins that a dead man committed? I only say this half in jest as I understand completely that my "debt" to society can never be repaid, only reminded of. Yet amongst the body of Christ can we truly look at a brother who has been convicted and condemned in the court of man and say brother...Though your sins be as scarlet, TODAY they can be white as snow. Can We forget the sins that God has cast into the sea of forgetfulness? If you knew what I went to prison for would you still sit down and invite me into your house, around your wife? around your children? Would I be welcome in your congregration without standing before you and confessing every illicit act that I have been punished for? What about those I have never been caught for...scary thought who might be sitting around us.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our debts as you have forgiven us." Is this how it will be in heaven? I saw this man enter with jerod, I wonder what hideous crime he was in for. Now, listen brother I know you would never say this out loud but in our hearts? Is this how it will be in heaven. I think not. When I bowed before the Lord and confessed that I was a sinner and had offended the Holy and Righteous Judge of Earth, then and there I was recieved and accepted. It was at the cross that I understood that the penalty for my sin had been paid before the foundation of the world. Now the Theologian can argue about the process of regeneration and the actual timing of the new birth, but this I know, I once was lost but now I am found was blind but now I see. I know that today, I am a Son of the Most High God!
Those around me may question my validity, sagacity, and sanity but this is how I view these men coming to us at Faith For Freedom. They are new men as far as we are concerned. Do they come with baggage, addictions, stinkin thinkin? Yes. Will they stumble, falter and perhaps fail? Yes but are we results driven or gospel driven? He who began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Christ. I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.
It is fairly easy to be involved in "prison ministry" while the men are tucked nicely away behind concrete, razor wire and guard towers. What about when they call you neighbor and the only thing protecting you is a three foot hedge of azaleas? When they call you brother in Sunday school? What if they just handed you their rap sheet? Would that effect how you view them? Do you even want to know...Though your sins are as scarlet yet shall they be white as snow.

The greatest news at Marion Correctional

Frances and I had a great time of worship with the brothers behind the fence at Marion Correctional Institution this morning. Marion, to me, is truly an institution of "Higher Learning." It was while incarcerated at M.C.I. that I learned the school of kneeology not Theology. When all I had was Christ and His Word, I would get down on my knees and go to His Word in prayer for guidance. Sometimes these days I tend to pick up the phone rather than going to the throne for comfort and guidance. Really not much has changed. All I have is Christ even today. "Everything else grows strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
The message today came from Philippians 3. I encouraged the men to read the epistles of Paul and see Paul's humanity as a prisoner writing to his friends and brothers in The Lord. Paul relied wholly on the gospel, not as merely a beginning point of his faith but as the bedrock foundation for his entire hope. Yet while incarcerated in poor conditions he drew strength from the death, burial and Resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was not ashamed to confess that he had NOTHING on earth to live for! Yet never did he have a reason for a pity party. He encouraged others to follow him as an example lifting our gaze from our problems and woes unto the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and is set down at the right hand of God. What comfort and solace to us as we strive to follow Christ daily being transformed into His image.
The gospel is not something that we believe and then move on to the "deep things of God." God forbid that we move on from the cross of Christ. How much deeper does it get than God the Son hanging suspended between heaven and earth for all the world to see what God thinks of sinners and then bearing my sin upon His shoulders, enduring the full wrath of God the Father?! Is it beginner's grace 101 to ponder the fathomless love of Christ who offers us the gift of eternal life freely? Maybe the theologians would scoff at us spending an entire lifetime wrestling with the effects of Christ's Resurrection and it's role in us being raised from the spiritual death that shackles them together in unbelief.
Yes the gospel is simple. Grace. Man. God. Jesus. Faith. However, it can only be spiritually discerned by those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God and granted eternal life by the Father, who has given all things to His Son. Yet, how can they believe unless we share this good news, actually, the Greatest news about the Greatest Man who ever lived and offers the Greatest gift ever offered. If you do not believe that the gospel is the greatest news ever, than that is because you are still dead in your sins and trespasses. But there is still hope. Repent and believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the price for your sin and rose from the dead to purchase a place for you in heaven. Transfer your trust from what you "thought" was going to get you into heaven and place your trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. Does this make sense? Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?
Simple huh? Yet some may gnash their teeth and muddy the water of life with much that Paul referred to as "dung". Paul said, forgetting those things which are behind and pressing towards that which is ahead. Let us lay hold of that which Christ has laid hold of us for, namely to share this great and eternal gift of God with others. May I ask what is holding you back from sharing the gospel with others such as your friends and family, coworkers and employees, neighbors and enemies? What are you afraid of? or is it that you just don't care? Maybe you don't want to be seen as a fanatic or zealot and would be afraid to call Paul your friend if you were at the mall or a bbq and he started asking "personal" questions about your spirituality or that of those you call friends.
Maybe, you just don't know how to share this great news without offending sinners or pushing them away? Do not let these excuses keep you from being a witness. The gospel is an offence to those who perish. What are you pushing them away from by sharing? Hell. It is not our job to convince, convict or convert. It is our job to be a witness. Make no mistake, no one calls a witness to the stand and does not expect them to Vocally express what they have seen and heard. Do not believe the damnable lie "I witness by my life." That is the damnable doctrine of works. If you were at a wedding and there were mormons, jews, muslims and atheists all suited up do you really believe that a sinner could understand how to get to heaven or have a relationship with God just by watching you? Ridiculous! All of those religious or irreligious persons described may be "morally" superior to you in every way O' christian. Yet they will perish just as you, if you believe that you can earn God's favor by living a good life or keeping some law. We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is THE gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
This my friend is the simplicity of the Gospel and the simplicty of our response should be to Go and tell others and teach those who believe to teach others to share with others to share. Is this not what Jesus commanded the 11 and here we are thousands of years later, thousands of miles away saved from the wrath of God to Eternal Life with Christ. Amen. Amen.

So what are you waiting for...Go!